Sarcoidosis granuloma on a tattoo induced by interferon alpha

Background. The side effects attributed to interferon alpha are numerous, including autoimmune events such as lupus, arthritis or thyroiditis. Emergence of sarcoidosis in patients with interferon alpha therapy is much more rare. We describe a case occurring in a patient treated for melanoma. Case report. A 54 year-old woman who had been treated for fifty months with low dose interferon alpha (Roferon(R), 3 millions units, three times a week) for a melanoma of the scalp (adjuvant therapy), developed labial nodules on a permanent tattoo. The diagnosis of sarcoid granuloma was confirmed by histopathologic analysis. Physical examination revealed dyspnea on exertion with a moderate pulmonary interstitial infiltrate on the CT Scan. The diagnosis of cutaneous and pulmonary sarcoidosis in association with interferon alpha therapy was made. within 4 weeks, skin nodules began to regress although interferon was pursued at the same dose. Four months later, at the end of interferon therapy, the nodules had totally disappeared. Discussion. About forty cases of cutaneous or systemic sarcoidosis in patients treated with interferon alpha have been reported, but none of these cases concerned patients treated for melanoma. Interferon alpha might promote the development of sarcoid granuloma by inducing a switch of cytokine secretion from a Th2 to a Th1 cytokine pattern. It is very important to recognize cutaneous sarcoidosis during interferon alpha treatment because pulmonary sarcoidosis can be confused with common general side effects observed with such treatment.